Just bought this 83 XJ550

I joined this forum because my niece bought an 86 MaximX, but today I went to an auction and picked up my own XJ. A 1983 XJ550(At least that's what it said on the piece of cardboard on the seat) The auction folks will send me the title after my check clears. According to the cardboard, all it needs is a new battery and a bit of work on the starter. (ahhhh the Yamaha starters.) I also have owned a couple Viragos.

I only paid $100 for this thing so was hoping to get it going cheaply and either pass it on to a family member or sell it.

Now for my questions: How the heck do you get the seat off this thing. The parts list on Partzilla shows a keyed latch on the left side of the bike about at the 1/3rd point on the seat. I don't see any such thing. Is there an alternative latch somewhere?

Here is the serial # off the frame 5K5 034737. Does that translate to an 83 XJ550

What were the color options in 83? Obviously the white is someone's idea whose time has passed. It's also very poorly done. Both side covers are missing and I probably won't replace them unless I can find a pair really cheap.

 

There's 2 latches inside the little compartment right above the rear brake light.

 

Unless the rollers are skipping, you'll find that the XJ starter system is far superior to the U.S. Virago starter system. Starter clutch roller slippage has several causes, only a few of which require splitting the cases.

You have an XJ 550 Maxim.

Start the re-comissioning by reading The Information Overload Hour that is linked in my signature.

A safe-and-sane recomissioning will typically run $600 to $800 if you do all of the work yourself, but if it's running well that cost can end up being considerably less.

 

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I saw those two rubber bands and thought they were probably there to hold the tool kit. Tks Xjrider.

 

Jumped the battery, and the good news is that the starter is working just fine but the starter button is flakey. Also found a thin wire wrapped around one of the fuses and another one had been replaced by an inline fuse. Time to look for an alternative fuse block an try to figure out why the head and tail lights don't work. The fuel petcock is frozen so tomorrow off comes the tank and the carbs. If the petcock is that bad, I can imagine what the inside of the carbs look like.

 

At the top of every page is the xj4ever catalog. I strongly suggest that you order parts from him. User name chacal.

Look you can order parts from eBay or wherever that may or may not work.

He's the real deal for parts for these bike. With loads of info.

100$ is a steal. Nice bike by the way.

 

Most of us use a 4 or 5 fuse ATC block. Ignore the extra wires; mine has accessories.

 

black, Ruby red if you look in chacals paint section he lists the colors.
ebay for the side covers 15 to 20 per cover also look in out buy swap section.
nice bike its missing the rear grab bar head light not correct
you will need the front fender
at least you have the stock exhaust
good find

 

I've got the fender and it appears to be in good shape. I thought the headlight didn't look stock. That might be why it doesn't work. I've already ordered a four pin ATC fuse block Black is good, I think I already have enough to do the job.

Thanks much for the feedback. I'm no stranger to eBay having resurected a $150 '91 XV750 a '93 GSX1100G Katana and working on a 74 Yamaha DT250 basket case.

 

are you aware that that is the short vin.
is the white tag still in the headstock
the vin should start
JYA 5K500 X D A 034737 if it an 83

with red X being the check digit which can be caculated.
I do not know the requirments of registration in your state but the title should be all you need


TECH TOPIC: Model ID and VIN's

 

The white tag is still partially there. a cable has rubbed off part of the number on the tag and the rest is hard to read. I assumed that when the title comes it will have the full number on it.
jack

 

I got my bikes with a bill of sale needed a vin check done. with a title you should be good.
it is worth checking with your dmv, do they do vin checks in Illnois?

 

Found an old registration in the little compartment behind the seat. Actual number is jya5k5000ca034737, and the bike is an 82 not 83. I should ask for my $100 back. (just kidding lol) Last registered in 2011.

 

The full vin should be stamped into the right side of the headstock.

 

my 81 and 82 only have the shorty vin stamped into the headstock

 

Most bikes up until '83 (or later, depending on model) only has the "shorty vin" stamped on the headpipe.....later models had the full VIN on the headstock (headpipe) or a separate riveted plate in the general area with the full VIN.

k-moe, does your '82 have the full VIN stamped on the pipe?

 

It does not, but I thought it did.
Note to self: don't post during a non-motorcycling road-trip.